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Bridget M. Kuehn

JAMA. 2005;294:1750-1751.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Insights gleaned from brain imaging technologies that allow scientists to observe neurobiological mechanisms of the placebo effect may one day alter the way clinical trials are conducted and provide clues to treating pain and other disorders.

Using magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography scans, scientists have provided the first direct evidence that the endogenous opioid system, specifically activity on the opioid receptors, mediates the placebo effect (Zubieta et al. J Neurosci. 2005;25:7754-7762). The findings build on other recent imaging studies that have identified brain areas activated or monitored the activity of single neurons when a placebo is given.

Images of the brain responding to pain (left) and to pain plus a placebo (right) show activation of receptors that are part of the brain’s endogenous opioid system (red). Placebo-activated regions are associated with cognitive factors, such as expectation of pain relief. (Credit: Jon-Kar Zubieta/University of Michigan)

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A CLEARER PICTURE